Models & Workflow Manual · 6

Evaluate and compare designs

Online chapter revision 2026-10-05. Complete download edition 2026-10-03.

CREATE / DISCOVERChapter concept map · not simulation results
INPUTVariables + bounds
MODELDesign exploration
OUTPUTCompared candidates

The response calculation adds geometry, supports and loading to the material description. Check compatibility before interpreting an output and keep the baseline unchanged during comparison. CREATE and DISCOVER can organize candidate designs, but the final interpretation depends on the equations and constraints evaluated for those candidates.

6.1 Evaluate the complete composite structure.

Workflow / 03.5 Design

Choose a compatible released plate, cylinder, beam, section, joint or analytical study. Shared laminate inputs do not make every model combination valid.

Connected model layer

Structural analysis and design model map

Select a block to explore its theory or workflow. View the complete Model Map

Structural analysis and design layer of the original master workflow

Workbench path

Choose. Inspect. Refine.

Select the case

Choose a simulation block and the run you want to study.

Inspect in Live Sim

See geometry, assignments and results together.

Refine the model

Change geometry or selections and follow the downstream effect.

Open the complete block workflow guide ↗
Workbench exercise preview

02.10 · Three-point bending: span and stiffness

Level 3
Intermediate
Est. 25 min
Exercise workflow · Open full-size map ↗

Only blocks on the exercise path are shown. This changes the view only, not the exercise records.

02.10 · Three-point bending: span and stiffness · Used records in the universal fixed layout · not solved results
∑ Used models & submodels

Only models assigned to records used by this exercise are listed here. The full-layout option preserves the supplied starter records; no Workbench records are changed.

Euler–Bernoulli beam · Linear static · ASTM D7264 · Three-point flexure · Procedure A load

Beam bending uses effective laminate axial stiffness, the linked section geometry, support span and applied loading. Euler–Bernoulli deflection excludes transverse shear deformation, roller contact and indentation. Ply stress recovery for rectangular laminate coupons is separate from section-level beam stress recovery.

∑ Theory & assumptions
Data travelling between blocks

Materials → Laminates
Stored ply stiffness, strength, density and expansion properties.

Mechanical → Simulation
SIMULATION selects this case and its analysis model; the case owns its applicable cycle and input references.

Laminates → Mechanical
Ply angles and thicknesses, stiffness, mass and ply properties.

Geometry → Mechanical
Part shape and dimensions, thickness or section definition, and model-specific geometric inputs. Each selected case consumes only the dimensions its model supports.

Models → Mechanical
Applied model assignment: Euler–Bernoulli beam · Linear static. Model parameters and formulation are used by Mechanical.

Inspect specimen width, laminate thickness, support span and central force.

Models: Euler–Bernoulli beam · ASTM D7264-based

Study scope and limitations

Procedure A teaching setup. Transverse shear deformation, roller contact and indentation are excluded.

03.5 / Workflow focus

Connected engineering record
01

Plate and beam response

Use the released CLT/FSDT finite-plate or membrane/beam path with compatible dimensions, loads and supports. Buckling, modal and static bending are distinct study choices.

02

Cylinder formulations

Thin-wall membrane and layerwise thick-wall elasticity have different load and process limits. Donnell axial buckling is a separate thin-shell study with an explicit knockdown factor.

03

Sections and joints

Layerwise sections, lap joints and sandwich bending have their own geometry and interfaces. The analytical Volkersen / Goland–Reissner study is a separate identical-adherend elastic approximation.

04

Failure and notches

The five existing criteria support eligible CLT first-ply / progressive calculations. LaRC04 linear-shear initiation and calibrated open-hole strength are separate studies, not additional progressive choices.

05

Fatigue

S–N models predict life from calibrated data. Residual stiffness / strength requires independently fitted retention laws in its separate study; neither automatically changes optimization properties.

06

Creep, shape and uncertainty

Reference-state studies explore time response, prescribed-eigenstrain free release and bounded ABD sampling. Their scope, inputs and output handoffs are listed below.

07

Keep validation data connected

Run the selected Simulation after relevant edits. Review model assumptions, stale-result warnings, convergence and calibration before interpreting the result.

Use this workflow in Workbench: interactive Blocks, record selections and connection controls →

Connected model layer

Design · released model connections

Select a model family to follow its inputs, results, theory and exercise. All model families ↗

Follow the connections

Heat, moisture & manufacturing

Inputs

Material laws & boundary cycles

Roller radius, width, coating or metal properties, applied force and supported contact assumptions

Choose a model family

Transport & reaction

Results / handoff

History & compatible process fields

Contact footprint and pressure feeding applicable moving-process thermal and quality histories

Thermal starting point: add roller Geometry and a roller boundary for a contact study; the supplied die exercise does not contain a roller.

Exercise workflow · Open full-size map ↗

Only blocks on the exercise path are shown. This changes the view only, not the exercise records.

Rubber-covered roller contact · Used records in the universal fixed layout · not solved results
Physical process schematic: Evaluate and compare designs
Material travels through the supplied heating and cooling die zones. Pulling speed sets residence time; inspect outlet temperature and cure where available. Conceptual setup, not to scale or a solved result. The live process view remains available in Workbench.

Rubber-covered roller contact

Bonded coating on a rigid core against a rigid flat. Geometry selects Infinite width (analytical plane strain) or Finite width (3D elastic contact with axial end spreading). Small deformation and optional prescribed sliding friction; no hyperelasticity or rolling resistance.

Model choices and Workbench location

Geometry → Rollers; Models → Roller contact

  • Bonded-layer roller contact

Chapter review

Use the same load and reference conventions when comparing alternatives, then rerun the selected design where required.

References and source sections

References are retained with the formulations they support. Software instructions describe implementation scope; a cited source does not establish independent validation of a CDS calculation.

Detailed online sources